TERRE HAUTE —
The Terre Haute City Council chamber in City Hall was literally divided Thursday night, with supporters of the city’s new smoking ordinance on one side and a larger group of opponents of the measure on the other.
More than 50 people – opponents of the ordinance – filled the seats on the north side of the council gallery while a smaller number of people filled the south side, many sporting T-shirts reading “I support clean air.”
Several members of local veterans organizations and several bar owners and tavern employees spoke to the council, asking the city’s legislative body to repeal the measure they passed 18 months ago and allow the new state law to govern smoking in public places in Terre Haute.
Terre Haute’s new smoking ordinance is set to take effect July 1. It prohibits smoking in virtually all indoor workplaces, making it more strict than the state law passed this year by the Indiana General Assembly.
The state law allows smoking in bars, private clubs and casinos. The Terre Haute ordinance prohibits smoking in bars and private clubs. Only tobacco shops and a small number of hotel or motel rooms are exempted.
The topic of the city’s anti-smoking ordinance was brought up during the council’s 30 minute period reserved for public comments for non-agenda items. No measure to change the city ordinance has been introduced and the matter is not currently slated for discussion next month, although that could change if an ordinance is introduced by a member of the council.
However, speaking after their meeting, several council members said the body plans to wait and see whether the Vigo County Commissioners change the Vigo County ordinance to match the city’s, something the commissioners plan to debate this month.
The Vigo County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on whether to adopt the city’s standards at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Vigo County Annex. They could vote on the matter the following week.
“I think, by the presentation tonight by both sides, maybe we need to look at it, but we’re going to wait and see how the county proceeds and then we’ll make a decision then,” said Don Morris, council president, speaking after the Thursday night meeting.
“It’s a hard decision,” Morris said. “It’s tough. When you look at the veterans, it’s a matter of choice. But it’s also a matter of choice on the other side, too.”
In all, about 17 people spoke during the public comment period about the smoking ordinance. More than half wanted the city’s ordinance changed. Bruce Adelman, owner of Bohannon’s East tavern, presented a petition to the council containing more than 3,200 signatures seeking a change in the ordinance. He stated, however, that some individuals had signed more than once and some were not residents of Terre Haute. He promised the council that he would have clearer figures at the next council meeting, currently scheduled for July 12 at 6 p .m. in City Hall.
• Also Thursday, the council voted without opposition to increase the speed limit on Brown Boulevard between Locust Street and Maple Avenue. Because the street is within the city limits, it was automatically assigned a 30 mph speed limit when it opened last year. The council voted to increase the limit to 40 mph believing the roadway to be able to safely handle traffic at that speed.
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Bacckers: Bruce Adelman, owner of Bohanan's East brought signatures with him to the Terre Haute City Council meeting Thursday night. Well over 3,000 names were in the two manila folders he brought.
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Clean air advocate: Alia Hazel was the first speaker at Thursday night's Terre Haute City Council meeting.
Discussion
Smoking ban has both sides fired up
City Council hears from public, plans no change in new ordinance
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